Barbara's Quilt in Progress and Red/Tan Quilt Update

I got a little bit of a late start on Barbara's quilt last week but I wanted to share a few progress photos.  I absolutely adore the colors of this quilt! 

Barbara really wanted feathers so I tried to include them in her quilt.  She asked for double batting - so I am using two layers of Hobbs 80/20 with Glide thread on top in Sand and Bottom Line in the bobbin...I'm not sure the exact shade but a tan/kakhi color to blend with the backing.  I generally like to use the same thread in the top and bobbin, but this was an instance where two different threads really worked.

I had to watch the threadyness of the feathers below with the high contrast gold on purple...it doesn't sparkle here but in true light it is very elegant and shiny!  I really love how it is turning out.

 

I am hoping to finish it up over the weekend or early next week at the latest and as always I will show pictures.  Doreen asked me to share the sizes of quilts more and I will make an effort to do that!  I want to say most of the quilts I work on are Queen or King sized.  I do get some smaller quilts now and then, but I have a few good clients who really love to send me big quilts!  This one in particular is something like 86 x 96...I'm not sure the exact measurements but I have written them down somewhere.  I do know that the 96" wide batting I carry was just wide enough on the smallest side.  

Above is the progress on my red and tan quilt.  The block is called "Western Spy" in EQ6.  Yep, still using EQ6 over here!  It took me about six tries to get it right!  I had never heard of this block before or even seen it to my knowledge and now all of a sudden it seems to be popping up everywhere!  In particular there is a free pattern available for this block (and more) on Jinny Beyer's website.  In any case I love how it turned out!  Next week I'll be working on setting this on point and creating the stars that will frame this center block.

Cheryl's Sew Spooky - Finished!

Woohoo!  My third Sew Spooky quilt is on the books, I had a great time working on this.  I kind of thought I might get bored only because I've quilted it so many times - but I really didn't!  I had a lot of fun!

I think part of the fun was in thinking up new designs for blocks I have already quilted.  I love the design process.

At Cheryl's request I used double batting (and I am so glad she asked because I LOVE the definition of double batting) - it really helped fill the appliques with little or no quilting.  Love this look!

I used Glide thread in black, orange, and a tan color called "wheat" for the entire quilt.  The majority of the ditch work was with "wheat".

 

I really love diagonal lines - though of course you need to space them as accurately as possible, I think with a quilt like this with an almost folk art feeling, I didn't worry if they weren't absolutely perfect.  Just neat and not distracting...my goal was to give this quilt life with textures - not just quilt it o death.

I think it turned out great!  I love this quilt!  

I am catching up on emails over the next week - I found about a dozen stuck in my spam folder, so if I didn't reply to yours I apologize!  I have some big exciting things happening over here that I'm thrilled to share with you...I've been quiet I know, but absolutely working the entire time!  :)